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NURSERY FEATURE

CANNABIS IMPORTING

AND EXPORTING IN

SOUTH AFRICA

By Gabriel Theron, CEO of Cilo Cybin Pharmaceutical and
Johann Slabber, COO of Cilo Cybin Pharmaceutical
Cannabis has received much attention over the past few Johann Slabber, COO of Cilo Cybin
years and with more countries entering the global cannabis Pharmaceutical
market, international trading is fast becoming a reality.
n South Africa, three separate events area where cannabis can be cultivated, Products
have influenced the legality of cannabis and licensed producers have the exclusive
Isince 2017: right to import, export, trade at wholesale In May 2020, the Minister of Health made
• a licensing framework was introduced and maintain supply. updates to the schedules of THC and
for the domestic cultivation and CBD; these are detailed in the Regulation
manufacture of medicinal cannabis; One of the largest challenges South African Gazette No.11118 as per R.586 of the
• the Constitutional Court of South Africa cannabis cultivators face once licensed by Medicines and Related Substances Act, Act
de-criminalised the private use and SAHPRA, is to find an international take-off 101 of 1965. This now allows for cannabis
cultivation of cannabis; contract. The European market is one of and cannabis related products to be sold
• the Minister of Health rescheduled the largest accessible markets and in order in South Africa, opening the country for
cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydro- to supply to it, the standard of cultivation the importation of CBD products, with
cannabinol (THC) in May 2020. and further processing needs to comply more appearing on the shelves of larger
with its standards. Unfortunately, being retailers. The allowed concentration of
Cultivation licensed by SAHPRA in South Africa does the CBD is 20mg per serving or 600mg
not mean that Europe will accept this per package; higher CBD concentrations
Currently in South Africa, cannabis product as South African standards are not than this, and THC products, are strictly on
cultivation licenses are issued to recognised in Europe. prescription only.
companies complying with the guidelines
set out by the South African Health Importation of seeds at this stage Gabriel Theron
Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is facilitated by the Department of
and the Good Agricultural and Collection Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Gabriel Theron is the CEO and Chairperson
Practices (GACP) standards. One of the With regard to compliance of the MRSA of the Board of Directors of Cilo Cybin
qualifying criteria is proof of intent of (Medicines Act, 101 of 1965) and SAHPRA, Pharmaceuticals, one of the licensed
an off-take agreement between the all phytosanitary certificates and source of cannabis cultivators under GACP
cultivator and a customer internationally. origin documents are required to validate standards in South Africa and soon to be
It is important to also note that the GACP and ensure that the product comes from GMP accredited for the further processing
licenses are only for medicinal cannabis a verified, registered and approved source. and manufacturing of cannabis products.
cultivation as it is still illegal to trade in In order to obtain the required import
cannabis earmarked for the recreational permit, an applicant has to register with Cilo Cybin recently contracted with an
market globally. the above-mentioned department, and international brand, named Aunt Zelda’s,
phytosanitary certificates must then be as the global manufacturer and distributor.
The INCB is the United Nations independent provided by a supplier who has a valid and The founder of Aunt Zelda’s has been a key
control body for international drug registered seed company. Presently there player in medical cannabis products and
conventions. In the context of cannabis, the is no local seed bank registered and some cannabis treatment globally. LSA
1961 Single Convention allows cannabis to applicants import seeds, cultivate the
be produced and administered for medical mother plant and supply cuttings to other www.cilocybin.co.za
and research purposes under certain license holders.
conditions. The required controls include
that a government agency designates the

FELBRIDGE EXPORTS SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST SHIPMENT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS TO EUROPE
Felbridge has exported its first shipment of medical cannabis will play a key role in the supply of medical cannabis from South
grown at its cultivation facility in Stellenbosch, to Puregene AG in Africa to Europe and other regions.
Switzerland. The shipment will be further processed by Puregene
and establishes Felbridge as a producer for the global market, Felbridge aims to become a leading cultivator in South Africa,
directly linking African cultivation to European consumers. serving the international market with high quality, pharmaceutical
grade cannabis products.
Leslie Zetler, Chief Executive Officer of Felbridge, commented:
“Exporting South Africa’s first shipment of medical cannabis to Says Zetler: “We need to offer innovative products and services
Europe represents another major milestone for our group and which Felbridge is committed to providing in line with the
reinforces our view of the proven benefits that medicinal cannabis regulatory framework provided by SAHPRA”.
holds as a viable natural alternative to conventional medicines. The
export is significant in that our cultivation team met the stringent Visit www.felbridge.co.za
quality and product specifications required of the receiving parties’ or email info@felbridge.co.za
regulatory authorities and further confirms our belief that Felbridge

26 Landscape SA • Issue 95 2020